After yesterday's first full-length stage, the Scotsman, who drives for Nissan, said: "I am very satisfied with our time. The car behaved very well, even if we still have a few small things to improve."

The former world champion is 97 seconds behind Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel's Mitsubishi with Miki Biasion (Mitsubishi) 67secs off the lead in second spot.